@@TheRealLydiaSenn Don’t buy what you always buy if it’s cost prohibitive. Try something new or substitute an ingredient. Learn how to cook! Cooking healthfully is simple and requires minimal ingredients.
Buy only what you will eat. Most items are on a 6-8 week sale cycle so buy enough at once to get you to the next sale. For smoothies, buy frozen fruit. No waste. Save all veggie scraps to make broth that you can freeze or can. Freeze leftover coffee in ice cube trays and use them in coffee or smoothies. Buy dried beans then pressure cook and can/freeze. Save 75% over canned. Before going shopping look at what you have left and plan a meal around those items. I often find that I don't need to buy anything for that meal or maybe just 1 ingredient. Whatever needs to be used up can always go in a frittatta, soup, casserole, or salad. Use 1/2 the amount of laundry detergent, shampoo, dish soap, and other products that you have been using. Probably no difference. Those red lentils break down and disappear when cooked. Add them to everything, including marinara, lasagna, veggie burgers, to add nutrients and bulk.
Buying items with a yellow sticker, that are reduced as they expire on the same day, but can be freezed, and I freeze them. Stuff like fancy meat or fancy rolls etc. Also, you are so inspiring!
Buy in-season produce and freeze, can or dehydrate what you're able. Grow what you can, even if it's just a few tomato plants or heads of lettuce. Buy meats only on sale/markdown and can or freeze.
With red lentils, I like to use a mix of minced beef and lentils and make enough for 2 or 3 meals, really stretching the meat keeping flavour and texture.
One way to save money is to eat less. Consider portion sizes. Some of us are doing OK with this, but a lot of us (my husband and I included) are accustomed to larger portions than we really need. Slow down when eating and consider how much food your body needs. Also consider snacks throughout the day- are you really hungry or just bored?
Lydia, you really are one of my favorite people on here. Thank you for telling me that I am not doing anything wrong- bc even tho I try all the things to save money- it's just really hard right now! Thank you for taking the time to share! xo
I'd heard of a stock bag, but not a jam bag. Thanks for sharing!! 🥰 I do have an apple core bag for apple butter and a stock bag. What sugar, pectin, fruit scrap ratios do you use?
I meal plan too. I check our schedules but also check the weekly weather forecast. If it’s going to be hot, I don’t use the oven, etc. I also stock up on frozen veggies and protein when it’s on sale and store them in our basement freezer. We try to “Just say No” to eating out.
Homemade tortillas, black beans, onion, red bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and a small amount of shreded chicken. A bit of chedder and some plain greek yogurt on top. Less meat = cost savings. We try to have meat only on the weekends, but obviously we incorporate any leftovers into the weekly meals. Grow what you can. Herbs, green onions, cherry tomato and peppers can be grown in pots. That's how we started, now we have a farmers market stall and grow out of season stuff in hydroponics garden.
Lydia, I like meatless meals too. Tofu Stir fry is a family favorite. Tofu is relatively cheap and once cubed bake it til firm and then stir fry with any veggie on hand with teriyaki sauce and garlic and serve over brown rice or noodles. I prefer to add shredded broccoli and carrots. Another favorite is using a bag of soy crumbles from the frozen section (still under $5) and add it to pasta sauce for a protein filled dinner. You can also use it for nachos, tacos, or chilli as well. My family only likes it with pasta sauce. Winner every time.
Meal plan around the meat that's on sale that week. You want steak but only ground beef is on sale this week? Welps, ground beef it is (steak can wait for the next time it's on sale!). It can save SO MUCH.
I just found your channel and love it! I live in Arizona and meal plan to save money and sanity. Your videos are very well done and I can't wait for new video. Keep up the good work!
@@lizamcraebishop9176 I cook according to the instructions on the bag. I think it’s like 20 minutes. Then I drain them well and use like ground beef. Tacos, sloppy joes, etc.
I'm not a lentils fan but what a great idea to stick them in muffins! Lots of nutrition without knowing they're there. Also, to add to your comments about frozen vegetables, when fresh vegetables are cheap, I freeze them myself. I just saw heads of cauliflower for less than half price so i bought extra and froze it. Thanks for another great video. 💗
I have a hard time with task switching. After work my mind is in a state of task completion and, I struggle to mentally switch to prepping. However, if I plan the next days food while I’m prepping other things for the next day, like clothes and lunches, then I can easily inventory what we have and prep dinner too. Usually it’s as simple as writing down what dinner will be or gathering the ingredients together in the fridge/counter and the cookware needed so I can quickly make dinner. I know people love seeing an emasculate kitchen, but if the clean skillet is already on the stove when I get home from work, it’s just so much easier to stick to my plan for using up the ingredients!
we have 100% plant based and it is much cheaper.. So much info on you tube.. We still eat lots and its not all plants believe me.. Read The Starch Solution.. It is amazing
@@cindy7702 oh, ok. To me, those are plants, too. I think what you mean you are 100% plant based but not all whole foods. I think I understand now what you meant.
Lydia, my husband makes yogurt in the oven! It's soooooo much cheaper than buying it, it's naturally less acidic than store bought, and you can sweeten it to your taste and add in whatever you like as you eat it. I don't know his exact method, but you can find it with Google
I use my InstaPot to make yogurt, too! I strain it through 2-3 layers of coffee filters in a colander set in a bowl. It gets as thick as the fancy Norwegian yogurt at the store if you leave it long enough. Then you have all that whey as well, which is a common ingredient in protein bars. Whey goes bad as quick as berries, I would freeze it if possible to be safe. I really need to get back into yogurt making again, lol.
What are your best tips for saving on groceries?
@@TheRealLydiaSenn Don’t buy what you always buy if it’s cost prohibitive. Try something new or substitute an ingredient. Learn how to cook! Cooking healthfully is simple and requires minimal ingredients.
Buy only what you will eat. Most items are on a 6-8 week sale cycle so buy enough at once to get you to the next sale. For smoothies, buy frozen fruit. No waste. Save all veggie scraps to make broth that you can freeze or can. Freeze leftover coffee in ice cube trays and use them in coffee or smoothies. Buy dried beans then pressure cook and can/freeze. Save 75% over canned. Before going shopping look at what you have left and plan a meal around those items. I often find that I don't need to buy anything for that meal or maybe just 1 ingredient. Whatever needs to be used up can always go in a frittatta, soup, casserole, or salad. Use 1/2 the amount of laundry detergent, shampoo, dish soap, and other products that you have been using. Probably no difference. Those red lentils break down and disappear when cooked. Add them to everything, including marinara, lasagna, veggie burgers, to add nutrients and bulk.
Buying items with a yellow sticker, that are reduced as they expire on the same day, but can be freezed, and I freeze them. Stuff like fancy meat or fancy rolls etc. Also, you are so inspiring!
Buy in-season produce and freeze, can or dehydrate what you're able. Grow what you can, even if it's just a few tomato plants or heads of lettuce. Buy meats only on sale/markdown and can or freeze.
With red lentils, I like to use a mix of minced beef and lentils and make enough for 2 or 3 meals, really stretching the meat keeping flavour and texture.
One way to save money is to eat less. Consider portion sizes. Some of us are doing OK with this, but a lot of us (my husband and I included) are accustomed to larger portions than we really need. Slow down when eating and consider how much food your body needs. Also consider snacks throughout the day- are you really hungry or just bored?
Lydia, you've been my go-to for years now! Thank you for such a blessing to all of us 🙌💕
You are so, so kind. Thank you.
I'm with you on the red lentils! They are the best! Cheap, nutritious, delicious and so versatile! 😍
Lydia, you really are one of my favorite people on here. Thank you for telling me that I am not doing anything wrong- bc even tho I try all the things to save money- it's just really hard right now! Thank you for taking the time to share! xo
You're doing a good job.
Wow I love the jam made from fruit scraps idea. I recently started saving veg scraps to do a broth. 🙂
I'm making some right now!
I'd heard of a stock bag, but not a jam bag. Thanks for sharing!! 🥰 I do have an apple core bag for apple butter and a stock bag. What sugar, pectin, fruit scrap ratios do you use?
I meal plan too. I check our schedules but also check the weekly weather forecast. If it’s going to be hot, I don’t use the oven, etc. I also stock up on frozen veggies and protein when it’s on sale and store them in our basement freezer. We try to “Just say No” to eating out.
I use my crockpot all summer. I'm not turning my oven on in summer. ❤ thanks Lydia
Perfect!
I do this, too. If the weather permits, I run my slow cooker or air fryer on the back deck to keep the heat out of the house.
Lydia, you are a treasure. Thank you for this! I’m inspired!
I'm so glad you found it helpful!
Homemade tortillas, black beans, onion, red bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and a small amount of shreded chicken. A bit of chedder and some plain greek yogurt on top.
Less meat = cost savings. We try to have meat only on the weekends, but obviously we incorporate any leftovers into the weekly meals.
Grow what you can. Herbs, green onions, cherry tomato and peppers can be grown in pots.
That's how we started, now we have a farmers market stall and grow out of season stuff in hydroponics garden.
Lydia, I like meatless meals too. Tofu Stir fry is a family favorite. Tofu is relatively cheap and once cubed bake it til firm and then stir fry with any veggie on hand with teriyaki sauce and garlic and serve over brown rice or noodles. I prefer to add shredded broccoli and carrots. Another favorite is using a bag of soy crumbles from the frozen section (still under $5) and add it to pasta sauce for a protein filled dinner. You can also use it for nachos, tacos, or chilli as well. My family only likes it with pasta sauce. Winner every time.
Have you had a chance to make pasta sauce with lentils ? My family goes crazy for it.
We have a rotating list of regular meals and shop every 2-3 weeks
We also freeze leftovers and stock scraps
A video with lentil recipes would be amazing!
Thank you, Lydia. I always appreciate your tips!!
Meal plan around the meat that's on sale that week. You want steak but only ground beef is on sale this week? Welps, ground beef it is (steak can wait for the next time it's on sale!). It can save SO MUCH.
I just found your channel and love it! I live in Arizona and meal plan to save money and sanity. Your videos are very well done and I can't wait for new video. Keep up the good work!
Awesome! Thank you!
This was so fun and helpful ❤
Love lentils! They also cook so much faster than beans, heating up the kitchen less.
They're so good.
I must be over cooking my lentils.
@@lizamcraebishop9176 I cook according to the instructions on the bag. I think it’s like 20 minutes. Then I drain them well and use like ground beef. Tacos, sloppy joes, etc.
@tennesseewalkers9398 thank you
I'm not a lentils fan but what a great idea to stick them in muffins! Lots of nutrition without knowing they're there. Also, to add to your comments about frozen vegetables, when fresh vegetables are cheap, I freeze them myself. I just saw heads of cauliflower for less than half price so i bought extra and froze it. Thanks for another great video. 💗
Great job on this video Lydia 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🙋🏻♀️
Thanks Lydia! Xx
Really love oatmeal and breakfasts for lunch or dinner. Also love deviled eggs 😋
Sending love from Ontario 🇨🇦
I ate oatmeal for dinner last night. I love it.
Make Lydia’s baked oatmeal!
I love your thumbnail.
Thank you
I have a hard time with task switching. After work my mind is in a state of task completion and, I struggle to mentally switch to prepping. However, if I plan the next days food while I’m prepping other things for the next day, like clothes and lunches, then I can easily inventory what we have and prep dinner too. Usually it’s as simple as writing down what dinner will be or gathering the ingredients together in the fridge/counter and the cookware needed so I can quickly make dinner.
I know people love seeing an emasculate kitchen, but if the clean skillet is already on the stove when I get home from work, it’s just so much easier to stick to my plan for using up the ingredients!
This is such a great tip!
I would LOVE a video sharing your favorite meatless recipes
Prayers for your husband!
He's actually in remission right now. 🙌
I found a recipe for lentil meatless loaf
Oh wow. Can you share?
Meatless Mondays. We also double batch and do a lot of leftovers
Breakfast for lunch
we have 100% plant based and it is much cheaper.. So much info on you tube.. We still eat lots and its not all plants believe me.. Read The Starch Solution.. It is amazing
Your comment is confusing to me- your first sentence you say you are 100% plant based, then in your third sentence you say it’s not all plants.
@@doubles1545 I guess I mean things like occasionally bread or pasta..
@@cindy7702 oh, ok. To me, those are plants, too. I think what you mean you are 100% plant based but not all whole foods. I think I understand now what you meant.
Lydia, my husband makes yogurt in the oven! It's soooooo much cheaper than buying it, it's naturally less acidic than store bought, and you can sweeten it to your taste and add in whatever you like as you eat it. I don't know his exact method, but you can find it with Google
I used to make it in the crockpot but I don't like the consistency.
I use my instant pot on the yogurt setting for 10 hours and then strain through a cheesecloth until I get the consistency we like (thick)
I use my InstaPot to make yogurt, too! I strain it through 2-3 layers of coffee filters in a colander set in a bowl. It gets as thick as the fancy Norwegian yogurt at the store if you leave it long enough. Then you have all that whey as well, which is a common ingredient in protein bars. Whey goes bad as quick as berries, I would freeze it if possible to be safe. I really need to get back into yogurt making again, lol.